OSHA Inspection: ROMAR CABINET AND TOP COMPANY,INC.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Other substances -- 8-hour Time Weighted Averages. An employee's exposure to any substance in Table Z-1, the exposure limit of which is not preceded by a "C", shall not exceed the 8-hour Time Weighted Average given for that substance any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week.    On or about January 11, 2016,  in the work area, employees working on woodworking machines were exposed to carbon monoxide levels as follows:        a.  An  employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 300 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 250.4 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.218). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 27%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 156.5 ppm CO (SAE = 0.218), which is 3.13 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.         b.  An employee  was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 300 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 259.2 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.205). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 27%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8- hour TWA exposure was 162.0 ppm CO (SAE = 0.206), which is 3.24 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.        c.  An employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 300 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 221 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.269). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 26.1%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 138.1 ppm CO (SAE = 0.269), which is 2.76 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.         d.  An employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 300 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 215.6 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.234). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 25.9%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was  134.8 ppm CO (SAE = 0.234), which is 2.70 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.         e.   An employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 300 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 232.8 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.242). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 23.7%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8- hour TWA exposure was 145.5 ppm CO (SAE = 0.242), which is 2.92 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): To achieve compliance with paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, administrative or engineering controls must first be determined and implemented whenever feasible. When such controls are not feasible to achieve full compliance, protective equipment or any other protective measures shall be used to keep the exposure of employees to air contaminants within the limits prescribed in this section. Any equipment and/or technical measures used for this purpose must be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. Whenever respirators are used, their use shall comply with 1910.134.  [71 FR 16673, April 3, 2006]   Engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls) were not implemented to reduce and maintain employee exposure to carbon monoxide in accordance with the schedule in Table 1 of this paragraph:   a. On or about January 11, 2016, employees working in the production area were exposed to carbon monoxide levels between 134 and 162 parts per million.    General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:   1. Engineering controls such as performing regular preventative maintenance on the boilers.   2. Administrative controls such as installing a continuous carbon monoxide monitor suitable for the work environment.